Blog Category | Divorce

Making the decision to end your marriage ranks among life’s most difficult choices. The emotional weight alone can feel overwhelming, but understanding your next steps helps regain some control during this challenging time. The first thing you should do when considering divorce is gather your financial documents and consult with...

The divorce process in Pennsylvania begins when one spouse files a divorce complaint with the Court of Common Pleas. This document identifies both spouses, states the reason for the divorce, and asks the court to grant it. The complaint can also address any property division, alimony, custody, or support terms...

When both spouses agree to end their marriage in Pennsylvania and settle all related issues before filing, they can get an uncontested divorce. This type of divorce is much more simple and efficient than a traditional divorce, and sometimes even allows the parties to finalize the process without going to...

Alimony can help a spouse transition after divorce, but Pennsylvania courts don’t always award it. Courts have discretion in whether one spouse should receive support, how much to award, and for how long. Plus, there are a few situations where you or your spouse could be disqualified from receiving alimony....

Dividing property during a divorce is frequently a source of stress and conflict. If you’ve been building a 401(k) during your marriage, you might wonder if your spouse can claim any of it. The answer depends on when the funds were earned and how the law views marital property. How...

Various factors can affect how couples negotiate the terms of a divorce settlement. One critical factor is how long the marriage lasted. A divorce settlement is an agreement that resolves the critical issues of the divorce that the spouses have worked out themselves without having to ask a trial court...

A divorce settlement agreement, also called a marital settlement agreement (MSA), is a written contract spouses use to resolve the terms of a divorce. It spells out how they will distribute property, handle debts, and address support or custody issues. Couples can use settlement agreements to avoid drawn-out trials and...

In Pennsylvania divorce cases, the courts divide marital property using equitable distribution principles. This means the court focuses on dividing marital property fairly, whether or not that involves a 50-50 split. Only marital property is subject to division in a divorce. Marital property includes most assets either spouse acquired during...

Divorce mediation is a process in which both spouses meet with a neutral third party called a mediator to talk through the details of their divorce. The mediator guides the conversation but does not make decisions or take sides. Mediation gives both people a chance to work together to reach...

Dividing property during divorce isn’t always straightforward, especially when one spouse hides assets. In Pennsylvania, courts follow the principle of equitable distribution. This means marital property must be divided fairly, although not necessarily equally. If your spouse is hiding assets, however, the court can’t divide what it doesn’t know exists....

When you get divorced, one of the first questions you may ask involves the disposition of your family or marital home. An experienced Pennsylvania divorce attorney can walk you through the potential scenarios of what may happen to your family home given your specific circumstances. Understanding Marital vs. Separate Property...

In Pennsylvania divorces, courts divide couples’ marital assets equitably, which means a fair but not necessarily equal distribution of assets. Sometimes, a spouse’s business interests qualify as marital assets subject to equitable distribution. However, when do business assets count for equitable distribution in divorce? Understanding Equitable Distribution The process of...

When a business owner gets divorced, their business interests may become a subject of property division. Here’s what you should know about the process and how you can protect what you’ve worked so hard to build. Are Business Ownership Interests Marital or Separate Property? While a divorce proceeding divides marital...

Before a married couple files for divorce, they usually have a period of separation. In divorce proceedings, “separation” occurs when spouses live “separate and apart” outside the marital relationship. Although a separated couple does not have to live in separate residences, they must stop acting as a single-family unit for...

If you and your spouse have decided to get divorced, you may wonder what will happen to your 401K or other retirement accounts. Are these accounts subject to the same rules of division as your family’s assets? Here’s what you need to know—including how an experienced family law attorney can...

Either spouse can request alimony payments in a Pennsylvania divorce. Whether you’re requesting alimony or want to know how much you might pay, it’s crucial to understand how the courts calculate these payments and how long they might last. While either spouse can request alimony during divorce proceedings, the courts...

When you’ve decided that divorce is necessary, you want the process to go as smoothly as possible. You’d like it to move quickly, too, once the decision has been made. However, couples do not always agree that divorce is the answer. What happens when one partner wants a divorce and...

Many Pennsylvanians wonder how the court will divide their marital property during a divorce. A common misconception is that Pennsylvania is a “50/50 divorce state,” where spouses split assets equally. However, this is not the case. Pennsylvania follows the principle of equitable distribution, which aims for a fair, but not...

Going through a divorce can be challenging. Child custody, alimony, and asset division can quickly turn complicated and contentious. One of the most complex issues couples can face with divorce is the division of their business, its assets, and debts. If you started a business while married, it may be...

In many divorces, one or both spouses may hold a business ownership interest. These ownership interests may take the form of a solo professional practice or a partner interest in a closely held or family business. However, the value of these business interests may qualify as marital assets subject to...

If you have recently filed for divorce, or if your spouse has recently served you with divorce papers, the biggest question on your mind might be: “When is this going to be over?” Ultimately, there is no clear answer to this question. Depending on the type and complexity of your...

During the divorce process, there is a time when each spouse must turn over financial information to the other. This process is known as discovery. There are severe penalties if one spouse is found to have hidden assets or fails to turn over information. However, you may need to investigate...

Every state has its laws about how marital property gets divided when a couple decides to divorce. If you live in Pennsylvania and you’re planning to end your marriage, you will want to know the basics of marital property division laws before you head to court. How Pennsylvania Courts Divide...

There are several matters to address during a divorce — how to split property is one of the most important. Often, one or both spouses want to keep the marital home, which could create some contention. Many spouses wonder who gets to keep the house and how the decision is...

One of the critical considerations during a divorce process is alimony, especially if one spouse is considered dependent. This financial support can be crucial in helping a lower-earning spouse maintain a semblance of their marital lifestyle. In Pennsylvania, a dependent spouse’s entitlement to alimony for a specific duration is subject...

No matter what finally led you to seek a divorce, the feelings of guilt you may carry with you as you exit the relationship can be severe. You may worry that you gave up too soon or feel particularly emotional about breaking up the family (especially if there are kids...

Working in medicine means accepting a lot of stress related to your job and also often working very long hours. Additionally, many medical professionals start their careers with a staggering amount of personal debt due to the educational requirements. Despite these challenges, medical professionals, including physicians, actually have a slightly...

As you and your spouse get older, you may find that you no longer have the same goals or objectives in life. Your spouse may want to relax and take it easy each day, reading or participating in activities at home. You may want to travel and explore, go out...

Couples in different family situations will have unique challenges during their divorces. For families that enjoy higher levels of income and have complex property, there are concerns that can quickly complicate a divorce. One of the biggest issues in a high-asset divorce is the risk of one spouse intentionally hiding...

There is nothing worse than being stuck in a life that you hate. While you may have children and other responsibilities in your life, the way that you live your life is ultimately up to you, even though it may not feel that way. If you are feeling unhappy or...

Prenuptial agreements are a legal form of making clear what is yours and what is your potential spouse’s. Just because you are willing to share your life does not mean you are willing to risk everything you already own to do that. While prenuptial agreements may seem unromantic, marriages do...

The U.S.’s current divorce rate continues to hover at around 50%. Many divorce attorneys and financial planners often see what happens when a wife who has let her spouse handle the family finances gets blindsided by a divorce. One financial planner recently listed the three documents that women (or men)...

Financial matters are among the most stressful issues spouses face when they go through a divorce. People worry about everything from dividing assets to supporting themselves and their children. Considering how consumed parties can be by money-related issues during the divorce process, avoiding mistakes that can ultimately cost them more...

Everyone has different goals during a divorce. For some, it’s keeping certain assets. For others, it’s spending time with the children. Every divorce, like every marriage, is unique. But what if your main goal is just to make the divorce process go smoothly? You don’t want it to be complicated...

Before you file for divorce, you may want to fight for your marriage. For many struggling couples, that process could involve marital counseling or couples therapy. Discussing your issues with the therapist can help the two of you work out your problems, find solutions that work for both of you...

Bringing up the idea of a divorce to your spouse can, naturally, be tricky. You don’t want to make your significant other angry, but you also know that they may not want to hear what you have to say. You struggle to figure out how to bring it up in...

There might be a million small issues that led to your divorce, or there could be one terrible breach of trust that completely undermined the sanctity of your marriage. Whether your ex put their hands on you, had an extramarital affair or stopped being a supportive partner when you needed...

Divorced and divorcing parents may experience an array of disputes revolving around their children. Disagreements about child support remain among the most common of such disputes. It is not because one or both parents do not want to support their kids; rather it is more about the fair and proper...

Divorce is expensive, typically costing individuals thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars in expenses even before considering the financial impact of splitting all of your possessions with your spouse. Trying to keep costs low is a practical concern for many people. Some people make the riskiest decision in...

When considering divorce, you do want to keep in mind that every situation is unique. You may know 10 people who have gotten divorced already, and your reasons for doing so may be different than those cited by all 10 of them. You also have unique assets, debts, child custody...

Ending a marriage can shake up your immediate personal and financial plans. Without proper planning, divorce can also impact your life many years in the future by depleting your retirement savings. Divorce and retirement savings Undergoing divorce may be costly, make it harder to save money and reduce household income...

When a Pennsylvania couple gets engaged, they are often full of anticipation and excitement for their future together. Wedding planning can take years, involving lots of venue shopping, wedding dress shopping, interviewing photographers, etc. Despite all the planning a couple puts into their wedding, they may also want to think...

In the movies and on the television, the divorce process is often depicted as high conflict and emotional. While divorcing a spouse, no matter the length of a marriage, is an emotional event, it does not need to be filled with conflicts over each and every decision required by the...

Spring is tax preparation season, even with the recent filing extensions. This year, spouses who went through a divorce must deal with a new federal tax law that governs filing status and support payments. Classification as married or single affects a taxpayer’s filing status and, potentially, their tax deductions or...

A growing number of people 50 and older in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States are getting divorced. Typically referred to as a “gray” divorce, there are many concerns that come to the forefront in these circumstances. Whereas there are inevitable issues that arise in any divorce, a gray divorce...

Going through a marital dissolution in Pennsylvania can be a complicated process. When children are involved, the divorce process can become even trickier, especially from an emotional standpoint. However, parents who have decided to get divorced can help to make this situation easier on everybody involved in a couple of...

Ending a marriage can no doubt be a trying experience for couples in Pennsylvania. However, just because two people have decided to divorce does not mean that the experience has to be unbearably stressful. Here are some tips for making the divorce process as easy as possible from the start....

The process of dissolving a marriage can have major financial consequences. This is especially true if the two people who are getting divorced have a large number of assets or have high-value assets. Here are some tips for minimizing the negative impacts of divorce in Pennsylvania. For starters, divorcing individuals...

Going through a marital dissolution poses both monetary and emotional challenges in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, sometimes, facing divorce and the challenges that come with it is inevitable. Fortunately, though, some tips may help divorcing spouses to tackle these challenges early on in the process. For starters, it may behoove people who...

Going through a marital dissolution in Pennsylvania can unfortunately wreak havoc on a person’s finances. However, making expedient monetary decisions during the divorce process can help to mitigate the negative financial impacts of divorce. Here are a couple of tips for protecting one’s financial interests following divorce. For starters, it...

Financial squabbles between married individuals sometimes lead to marital breakups. Unfortunately, divorce can bring on a whole new slew of financial issues. Still, if people who are getting divorced understand how to handle their finances, including any investment accounts they have, they can feel empowered during the divorce process. Here...

Many couples in Pennsylvania have a hard time figuring out when to move forward with marital dissolution if they cannot reconcile their differences. Should they jump into divorce right away, or should they hold off on it and wait to see if things improve? Here’s a rundown on important factors...

Social media platforms are becoming increasingly important parts of people’s lives, including their marriages. Researchers recently said that these platforms are, in fact, causing divorce in many situations. In addition, they are making the divorce process trickier. Let’s take a peek at how social media is affecting marriage and divorce...

When dissolving your marriage, you may understandably be worried about how the process will impact you financially. This is true whether you have a large number of assets to split or have just a few assets. Here is a look at how the state of Pennsylvania treats assets during the...

Marital dissolution can easily occur in Pennsylvania if two spouses have differences that they simply cannot reconcile. As an example, in many situations, two spouses may not agree on each other’s spending habits. However, the mutual desire to generate cost savings may actually motivate two individuals to get a divorce...

The marital breakup process in Pennsylvania can certainly be tough financially, but it can be especially challenging emotionally. This is particularly the case for the parents of young children who are going through divorce. Fortunately, some tips might help with making this life-altering process more palatable. For starters, when people...

Getting divorced makes it possible for two married individuals in Pennsylvania to finally break free from each other and move on with their lives. However, research shows that many women still decide to stick with the same financial advisor that the other party used prior to the divorce. In reality,...

Getting divorced is never an easy experience from an emotional standpoint. However, it can also be challenging from a financial standpoint, and this is true whether a couple has few assets or many high-value assets. Here are a couple of important moves to make to protect oneself financially when going...

The process of breaking up with a spouse can certainly have a major impact on an individual emotionally. However, divorce can be just as impactful on the individual’s personal finances, especially if he or she happens to be a parent. For this reason, becoming familiar with one’s finances is critical...

When an individual in Pennsylvania decides to get divorced, it’s natural to experience a range of emotions. A part of the person may feel relieved and ready to move on with his or her own life. At the same time, the individual might feel unsettled, as divorce is inherently a...

Younger individuals today are waiting until they are older to marry, and in the meantime, they are accumulating large amounts of wealth in many cases. In other cases, they are accumulating large amounts of debt. For these reasons, it is a good idea for people in Pennsylvania to create prenuptial...

According to experts, married couples have an estimated 39% chance of getting divorced in the United States. Unfortunately, divorce can be devastating both financially and emotionally. Here is a glimpse at seven mistakes that can quickly impact one’s finances during a Pennsylvania divorce. First, it is wise to avoid cashing...

One of the top reasons people get divorced is money. This is because finances and stress usually go together, and this issue can affect financially struggling couples and wealthy couples alike. Here is a glimpse at two money-related problems that commonly drive wedges between Pennsylvania couples and spark divorce proceedings....

Keeping a marriage together is no easy feat, especially when a marriage is built on a not-so-sturdy foundation in the first place. In many cases, two people who are married simply cannot make their marriage work, so their only option is to get a divorce. Research shows that couples in...

Experiencing a marital dissolution can be traumatic for the entire family. However, approaching the divorce process circumspectly can make it easier for divorcing adults and their children to deal with the ins and outs of the process. Here are a couple of wise moves that people in Pennsylvania may want...

When people go through marital breakups, an area of confusion and contention may be the division of assets. This is particularly the case if one party has amassed a large amount of money in a 401(k) through his or her company. Here is a glimpse at how divorce courts divide...

When two people decide to end their marriage, spousal support may quickly become a source of contention between them. One party may be worried about having to pay too much in spousal support, whereas the other may be concerned about not receiving enough support. Here is a look at how...

The majority of United States laborers qualify for retirement benefits from Social Security. However, many individuals who have gotten divorced in Pennsylvania and elsewhere are unaware of how this can affect their Social Security benefit collection process. Let’s take a glimpse at some key considerations regarding collecting benefits from Social...

The dissolution of a marriage can no doubt have a major impact on an individual’s life and emotional well-being. For this reason, some individuals may look down on the idea of starting a brand-new career while going through the divorce process. However, jumping into a new job field may be...

When individuals in Pennsylvania marry early in life, they often expect to stay married for decades. Because divorce is not readily on their minds, they might not think about drafting prenuptial agreements. However, drafting a prenuptial agreement may especially be expedient if two people with significant assets are getting married...

The marital breakup process in many cases is inevitable, and it is often painful for those involved. For this reason, it may not come as a surprise that more millennials in Pennsylvania and elsewhere are opting to develop prenuptial agreements, or prenups, before they get married. In fact, new research...

The dissolution of a marriage in Pennsylvania can understandably be a lengthy and emotionally exhausting process. For this reason, two divorcing spouses can quickly become hostile as they try to settle their divorce. However, two tips might help these parties to make their breakup as quick and amicable as possible....

Sometimes, getting divorced is inevitable if two married individuals have irreconcilable differences. However, the divorce process does not necessarily need to destroy the family members’ relationships. Here are a couple of steps that divorcing spouses can take to minimize the hostility often associated with divorce in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. First,...

In addition to fighting over the children, fighting over shared assets is a common occurrence during the marital breakup process in Pennsylvania, no matter what a couple’s net worth may be. Unfortunately, if a divorcing spouse makes unwise decisions when tackling shared assets, this may come to haunt him or...

When two individuals decide to marry, they generally expect their marriage to last a long time. The reality, though, is that financial problems may quickly cause the marriage to break down. This is why many couples in Pennsylvania are now creating prenuptial agreements before they say their I Do’s. For...

A variety of problems can lead to the end of a marriage in Pennsylvania, but in many marital breakup cases, money is the root cause. Specifically, debt is the issue that drives the two spouses apart. Unfortunately, when two people fight about money during their marriage and thus decide to...

In the United States, including in Pennsylvania, people generally dream of getting married and living in marital bliss long term. This is why divorce can be so painful: it is the opposite of the American dream. Unfortunately, between 40 and 50 percent of Americans who are married end up getting...

Breaking up with a spouse in Pennsylvania is undoubtedly a difficult event for an adult to experience. Still, just as adults can be negatively impacted by divorce, children can also experience the negative effects of divorce. Fortunately, parents can help to mitigate these negative effects in a couple of ways....

The rate of marital dissolution today is relatively high for individuals under age 50. However, the rate of divorce for people over age 50 has doubled since the early 1990s. Although divorce in Pennsylvania can certainly be tough both financially and emotionally at any age, those who are going through...

Research shows that millennials in Pennsylvania and elsewhere — those who are currently in their 20s — are deciding to stay married. As a result, millennial marriages are lasting a lot longer than the marriages of previous generations did. This, in turn, is causing the national divorce rate to drop...

The dissolution of a marriage can be not only financially but also emotionally difficult on both of the spouses going through it. However, research shows that divorce can be especially tough on men. Here are a couple of reasons why men in Pennsylvania and elsewhere may have a hard time...

Many individuals in Pennsylvania enter marriage with the expectation that they will enjoy marital bliss for many years to come. Unfortunately, sometimes divorce is inevitable. For this reason, creating a prenuptial agreement may be a smart move for couples who are about to marry. A prenuptial agreement allows an individual...

The dissolution of a marriage can easily throw a wrench in a person’s retirement and savings plans. However, these are not the only long-term plans affected by divorce. It is critical that divorcing parents also work out how they plan to cover their children’s college expenses in Pennsylvania. The most...

Things are different today for couples who have decided to call it quits. Couples in Pennsylvania who wish to divorce will find the process much less complicated today, and there is less stigma attached to conscious uncoupling. Yet there are still some people who can be labeled divorce-a-phobes, and they...

Dissolving a marriage generally is not a pleasant process, no matter how amicable the two divorcing spouses may be. After all, divorce can impact a couple both emotionally and financially. The financial aspect of divorce can especially be unsettling for those nearing retirement in Pennsylvania. Research has indicated that nearly...

The marital breakup process can be overwhelming due to its many moving parts. Tackling the financial aspect of the divorce may especially be intimidating. However, a few tips may help those going through divorce in Pennsylvania to navigate this type of family law proceeding with confidence. First, it is paramount...

The worst-case scenario during the dissolution of a marriage is for two spouses in Pennsylvania to be at odds about virtually every aspect of the marital breakup. On the flip side, the best-case scenario is for both parties to be in agreement about the divorce. In this situation, they may...

The dissolution of a marriage is not an easy process no matter how amicably it may start out. Aside from the children, one of the biggest sources of conflict during divorce is the couple’s finances. A couple of tips may help those going through divorce in Pennsylvania to protect themselves...

The dissolution of a marriage in Pennsylvania is not an easy process by any means. After all, two spouses essentially have to learn how to untangle their intertwined emotional and financial lives — a process that can quickly become messy. A particular aspect of divorce that often leads to conflict...

When two people get married, they generally believe that their marriage will work out. Unfortunately, life does not always go as planned. In the event that divorce is unavoidable down the road, putting together a prenuptial agreement may be a wise move for couples who have yet to walk down...

Retirement is typically envisioned as a life stage during which a couple in Pennsylvania can finally enjoy some time to themselves. They no longer have to tend to the children, and getting up to go to work is no longer necessary. However, this together time is not always what married...

During a marital breakup in Pennsylvania, one of the most hotly contested matters is property division. Specifically, some spouses may feel that the other party is hiding assets from them. With the increasing popularity of virtual currencies, such as bitcoin, hiding assets during divorce has indeed become much easier than...

If you find yourself facing a financially complex divorce, knowing your options before you embark on the journey of marital dissolution can help. Each couple is unique in the length of marriage, children involved and overall status of financial assets accumulated. High asset divorces are no different. The ease or...

Not every divorce has to get ugly or mean, or devastate your finances. If you and your spouse prioritize a respectful divorce, you can achieve it. One of the simplest ways to set the tone for the divorce is to meet with an attorney and discuss your options, specifically exploring...

All marriages are going to have their ups and downs. While some couples can work through their problems and come out with stronger relationships, others just were not meant to be. If you feel like you are in a continuous loop and you and your spouse do not seem to...

Several years ago your father passed away and left you a substantial sum of money. Now that you are getting divorced, you are wondering if your future ex-wife is entitled to a portion of it. Getting divorced is a very complicated process, especially when there is property involved. This is...

Nobody gets married with the idea that they will one day go through the divorce process. Even so, this happens to thousands of couples every year. The question of whether to divorce or stay together is never a simple one to answer. On one side of things, you may have...